Epilogue
Shiloh
S hiloh leaned back in her seat, her cheeks aching from smiling so hard. The wedding had been wonderful…and waaaay too long in coming.
She laughed under her breath. It had taken forever to get Serenity and Luca together. Being the best friend had been so hard during those years they were apart.
When Luca had decided not to come back and cut off all communication, Shiloh had watched her spunky bestie wither into a phantom version of herself. Someone Shiloh barely recognized.
It wasn’t until Serenity had opened her souvenir shop that some life had begun to spark again in the redhead. A different, quieter, more thoughtful woman had met Luca upon his return, but Shiloh had decided the change was good.
Because Serenity wasn’t the only one who had changed.
Luca had always been the quieter side of the pair, but now the behavior was more balanced. Luca came out of his shell around her, and Serenity was steadier than she’d been as a younger woman.
So in the end, it had all been perfect.
Shiloh smirked and sipped her sparkling cider.
“Well, Shi,” Tate cooed as he took the seat next to her. “What are you going to do now that Little Sis is where she belongs?”
Shiloh gave Tate a side glare. “What does that matter to you? Are you looking to move out of the house?”
Tate put a hand on his chest. “Shiloh,” he breathed. “I never knew you felt that way about me.” He pretended to throw his hair over his shoulder. “I’m afraid I don’t ever plan to get married, though. I need to be free.”
“Free to be a pain in everyone’s backsides,” Shiloh muttered. She held back the comment she really wanted to make. Everyone and their dog knew that Tate was in love with Gemma.
Somehow, Gemma was the only one who had missed the glaring neon sign.
Tate chuckled and picked up a carrot stick from Shiloh’s plate. She tutted at him, but didn’t argue. The twins had been little brothers to her and Serenity since they were kids. It was natural for him to bug her.
But a wedding wasn’t a place to make a scene, especially with the stunning bride and groom swirling on the dance floor as if they were the only two people in the room. The one-eyed assassin was surprisingly agile for a man his size.
“Seriously, though, what’s next?” Tate asked around his mouthful of carrot.
Shiloh pursed her lips. “Not sure,” she mused. “I’m thinking about moving. Maybe renting where I’m at and finding a project.”
Tate sat up straight. “Project? Are we flipping something?”
Shiloh shrugged. “I’m not sure. I might take on something I can move into and fix on the side, rather than how we’ve done it in the past.”
Tate slumped again. “That’s not fair. You get all the best deals, and now you’re cutting us out of the work? Traitor.”
Shiloh laughed softly and patted Tate’s knee. “I’m sure there’ll be at least a few things I can’t or don’t want to do myself.” She tilted her head, her mind flashing over a picture of a home that had come across her desk a few weeks ago. Fixer-upper didn’t even begin to describe this house. The inside looked like something in a seventies museum, which was bad enough, but the landscaping? Yeah…creatures of all sorts were enjoying a very safe existence in the waist high grass and weeds combo.
“You have a house in mind,” Tate said, his teasing tone gone. “I can see it.”
“Why, Tate,” Shiloh said back, tossing her hair the way he had earlier, “I didn’t realize you noticed so much about me.” She put the back of her hand to her forehead. “Alas, I can never feel the same. You’re just too annoying to be my type.”
Tate shoved her chair a little, making Shiloh laugh. “Guess we’re on the same page then,” he retorted, but he was smiling, letting her know he wasn’t upset. He stole a cookie next. “What’s the property?”
“It’s on the outskirts of town,” Shiloh said cautiously. She didn’t want to give it away. The contract was still sitting on her desk, and she didn’t dare let Tate have a chance at it before she could seal the deal.
He raised a light brown eyebrow. “And?”
“And…that’s all you’re gonna get.” Shiloh stood and brushed down her bridesmaid dress. “Now leave me be. I’m gonna find a dance partner, and you’re ruining my chances.”
Tate grinned, his cheek full of cookie. “Kinda makes me wanna stick around.”
“Punk,” Shiloh muttered.
Tate laughed softly and stood as well. “Let us know what crew you need, okay?”
Shiloh smiled back. “Will do. Now off with you.”
Still laughing, Tate sauntered away.
Eyeing a tall, dark blonde headed man, Shiloh worked her way that direction. He was nursing a glass of punch in the corner, hazel eyes watching the crowd with curiosity and a bit of longing.
The set of his strong jaw said he was comfortable and friendly to approach, but it was odd that he wasn’t asking anyone to dance. Especially since Shiloh could see there was nothing adorning his left ring finger.
After stepping around a chatting couple, Shiloh’s eyes widened for just a moment, finally realizing why the man was standing still.
Taking a breath for courage, she stepped up, offering her best smile. “Would you like to dance?” she asked.
The man eyed her up and down, and Shiloh raised a challenging eyebrow at him. At least he had the good sense to clear his throat when he came back to her face after such a blatant perusal.
“Sorry,” he said in a low tone. “But I don't dance.”
Shiloh ignored the sting in her chest and widened her smile. “That’s alright,” she replied easily. “I wasn’t talking to you.” She held out her hand to the young boy at the man’s side.
The little boy’s hair was darker than his dad’s, but there was no mistaking their relation when bright hazel eyes looked up at Shiloh in wonder. “You want to dance with me?” the boy asked, straightening from where he’d been slouching against the wall.
“I only dance with men in bow ties,” Shiloh explained, laughing a little when the boy patted the bow tie at his throat. “I’m Shiloh,” she said. “The bride, Serenity, is my best friend.” She glanced at the dad who was watching her carefully. “She’ll vouch for me, along with the McCoys if you’re worried.”
“Dad?”
The man looked down at his son, and his gaze softened before ruffling the boy's hair. “If you want.”
The music changed to a fast song behind Shiloh, and she gasped. “Oh, now it’s perfect,” she gushed. She held out her hand again. “You wanna?”
Grinning just enough to show off a missing front tooth, the boy took her hand. “I’m Zane.”
“Zane,” Shiloh said as they walked to the now bouncing dance floor. “I have a feeling you and I are going to be great friends.” Ignoring the dad’s gaze which was planted firmly on her back, Shiloh let herself laugh and move freely, determined to have as much fun as Zane could handle.
Contracts could be signed, and life could be complicated tomorrow. Right now, she was going to have a good time, and when Zane did a crazy little hip wiggle, Shiloh knew she’d picked the perfect partner to have fun with.
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